An Italian Cuisine Weekend

Blessings always happen in life. Because that is the promise of God. So another weekend in Scotland.

Whenever we look for a restaurant, the search ends with an Indian cuisine. Because that is the taste we both love anyway. However, this weekend we decided to try out the Italian specialties. The search ended up at +Frankie and Benny's 

To be frank, we loved it. The time spent together as a family, talking about the things we love and taking care of Ikey - sometimes, simple things are the most precious ones in life.

Another Friday night, well spent!

The Best Hog Roast In The Town - Oink, Edinburgh

This little shop is on the Royal Mile. The sweet smell of the roast literally filled the nearby atmosphere. When spotted the shop, the very first sight that welcomed me was a full hog roasted and displayed near to the glass window. Just couldn't resist. 

Wanted to taste the roast anyway. Only question was the size. Finally picked up their Classic Hog Roast. He picked up a bun, tore it open and filled the pulled hog roast into it.

So what was in there? Yummly hog roast, served in a white roll with apple sauce and haggis.

Wanted to eat it slowly, enjoying each and every bite. But that wasn't the way it happened. Am a fast eater. When the food get tastier, it accelerates by 50%. The roll got over in no-time. 

Pretty sure that this shop is ultra famous around the place.

How to beat the Bangalore Winter

Grilling is fun

To be frank, climate is the main reason why I hate Kerala and love Bangalore. Climate, I can't compromise.

Many says that Bangalore is not the old Bangalore anymore. IT development and real estate is killing Bangalore at a faster rate (who is worried about it anyway).

Inspite of all these concerns, Bangalore winter is still good. It is a chilled December for me and Ani. While I enjoy the climate, Ani is not liking it much. Especially Isaac and mummy are facing troubles due to this climate.

It was on my birthday, Ani gifted me with a small charcoal grill set. I was excited to grill at the very moment. But for that I need to get some charcoal.

Took the bike and went around my place to get some charcoal. Nowhere they are selling it. Finally went into a BBQ restaurant and bought some charcoal for INR 60/kg.

Marinated the chicken with the traditional Tandoori Chicken recipe. And started the grilling by 9 pm.

But the tough part was to lighten up the charcoal. It took my life to make it burn as I didn't have the right tools to do it :)

Freezing cold outside, but the heat from the grill was so soothing.

However at the end of the grilling - satisfaction made me to SMILE.

BTW - the chicken was yummy :)

Getting grilled in the traditional way

Ready to savor...

Red Rock Mountain Park

I noticed this park while on the Dinosaur Ridge bus tour. The park was so visible as it looked so reddish. The rock formations were strange and unique, the red colored mountains and the terrain looked so beautiful. I decided that to be the next location to visit.

Red Rocks Park is a mountain park in Jefferson County, Colorado. The park is known for its very large red sandstone outcrops. Many of these rock formations within the park have names, from the mushroom-shaped Seat of Pluto to the inclined Cave of the Seven Ladders.

When I reached the park, which is very close to the dinosaur ridge, there wasn't much people around. The place was so calm and beautiful. I could listen to the joyful voice from the mountains, from those who were trekking along the beautiful park trails.

Parked the car and I just couldn't take my eyes from the beauty of the mountains around. It felt like the place might get a shower, but it only enhanced the beauty of that place. So soothing to the heart and I got refreshed with the cold breeze around that place.

From the parking lot, we have to walk few miles to reach the center of red rock mountain. Saw a couple who were so excited to cycle up the mountain. When they saw me clicking pics around, they wishes and waved at me. Spoke to them for sometime and got some interesting information about the park. I decided to walk up the mountain then.

The rocks at this place are formed about 290 million years ago. I was right in the center of a historical gem at that moment.

This small passage through the mountain took me to another exciting part of the Red Rock Mountain park. The world renowned amphi-theatre. I never realized its significance until I spoke to the theater director, who gave interesting facts about that place.

This world is so special, filled with views that will never quench our thirst to travel. I was enjoying each and every moment of the journey. Walking through the lands which I thought I will never see in my life...

Rocky Mountains - Part One

Rocky Mountains - The very first place to visit in Colorado. Ani helped to make a list of places to visit. And she had it emailed before I landed at the airport. I just had to sort the list as per the distance. That was easy!

Supposed to be a 2.5 hours journey, took almost 4 hours to reach due to a mountain tunnel construction. But it wasn't a disappointment. Colorado is beautiful at all the nook and corner. Drive through the highway was the best. I could see the clouds at the distance, covering the tall mountains for miles. 

The Rocky Mountains, commonly known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 3,000 miles (4,830 km) from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States. Within the North American Cordillera, the Rockies are somewhat distinct from the Pacific Coast Ranges and the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada which all lie farther to the west.

These mountains are famous for it's scenic beauty. I was amazed at the wonder of that place. Clicked few pictures, and all were fantastic. Not because of my skills, but the place was simple awesome :)

The Rockies have very different seasons. In the winter there is deep snow, high winds, and sudden blizzards are common. At night it can get to -35 degree F or below! In the spring there is unpredictable weather. It could be wet or dry, cold or warm. In the summer there are sunny mornings, afternoon thunderstorms and clear nights. In the fall there are cool, crisp days, wind and decreasing precipitation.

This place is a highly protected area. Well guarded and taken care of its beauty, I didn't even realize the time slipping by. Spent almost 4 hours at this place, getting down at various scenic view points and enjoyed the cool breeze from the mountains...

Noticed the white line on the mountain. That's the way I took to reach the summit. No railings or guard on the edge of the road. Just me, God and heaven :) I am sure that my heart beat was at its top while climbing up the mountain.

A small mistake can kick me to the dense woods beneath...

I was a pure visitor at this place, but people visit the Rockies for many recreational activities like hiking, hunting, camping, skiing and lots of other sports.

Met a group of bikers climbed up the hills as a part of their weekend routine. The locals who cant miss this place at all...Such a beauty these mountains present for all who seek for it.

Wanderlust: Colorado & Snow Capped Mountains

At City of Colorado Springs - Red Rock Canyon

Always imagined about visiting this place once. But could never figure out the date and time for that occasion before. And so when I landed at Colorado, it took sometime for me to connect the dream with the reality. 

Walked around the airport visitor center for sometime collecting the brochures and flyers on the attractions. 

17 miles from the airport is Aurora, where my sister's friend stays. They've been so kind to accommodate me on the long weekend. And I had a wonderful time with them. Travel, fun, snow, food - that was a travel I longed for.

The best part of the vacation:.

I drove in and around like a crazy driver. Covered almost all the attractions in 5 days. The fresh air and less crowded mountain roads, green covered trails and unexpected moose encounters - that was fun.

It just rained when I was heading to Mount Evans. The sky was beautiful, nature looked fresh and the traffic was bad. Enjoyed the drive with the video shoot and gazing at the wonderful Colorado mountains all the way.

Pistol, Rifle & Shot Guns: Never Seen Those Before

Guns - I have only seen those in the movies. And now I could try out the pistols, shot guns, rifles...Wow that was an experience of the life time.

The skeet clays ready for the game.

Setting up the skeet shooter machine

Age doesn't defy the skills. He is still sharp

Like my dream house...

A walk around the backyard revealed some interesting sights

Setting up the targets...

That's a 2kg gun :)

Never seen the real bullets before. 

Training session on safety and holding

Why is the gun not working. Switch off the safety.

Scared to pull the trigger for sure

All the shots gathered at one place. Brian said it was a good attempt. Proud of my self :)

Guns everywhere like toys. But they were so serious in handling. 

Loading the shells

He is sharp still

Guns and Grass

The shotgun shell 

Pressed Penny Souvenir

While getting out from the Cabela's on the last day of the Arkansas visit, Brian suggested for this sovenier. Pressed Penny from a pressing machine. Placed one penny into the machine and got a deer image impressed penny out. An oval shaped, shining memento.

Berry Plucking Fun

This reminded me about my grand mother, who loved to cultivate all the necessary vegetables for the daily use, in the backyard. Occasionally, I joined her with my brothers for the plucking help and we enjoyed it. 

Since she left us, all those things are gone. And I really miss that now.

So the blue berry plucking that we did on a Saturday, I enjoyed it with all my heart. That was a pretty good harvest though. And those tasted the best. Brought back some to Texas and mixed with Blue Bell Signature Vanilla ice cream and ate it all in a day. That was really yummy!

Carla wanted me to prepare Indian Style Chicken Curry. And when I asked for loads of garlic and ginger, she went to the backyard and took those out from the soil. That was a quick shopping :)

Evening Grill

Grilling is fun and I never enjoyed this back in India, which I would start for sure. At the end of the day, especially being with the dear and near ones, it is always a party time. And everyone loved the idea of grilling. And we did.

Big chunk of meat loafs, ready to get cooked. As Ani said, the first thing I am going to do back in India - Cholesterol and sugar check :)

The cute Moley, getting some rest after tiring game with the kids

I was wondering at the raw meat turning to juicy steak with Texas Ranch seasoning.

Prawns to decorate the steak

That smells smokey BBQ prawns

Baked potatoes

And some fruits

Baked cauliflower

The final, juicy, well done steak...Yum Yum!